Cancer drug shortages persist, causing strain on care and urging action from Congress.

Shortages of generic cancer drugs, including carboplatin and cisplatin, have become a pervasive and acute problem in the US due to a faulty system for making and distributing generic drugs. The pursuit of low-priced generics has come at the expense of safety and ensuring steady supply, leading to more factory shutdowns. Patients are left with suboptimal treatment plans, including drugs with more severe side effects or continuing treatment without the necessary drugs. The business model itself must change to ensure good quality supply, and alternatives such as Civica, a nonprofit that purchases medicines directly from manufacturers, are being explored.